Rotary engine with sun gear drive

ABSTRACT

An engine comprising a cylindrically shaped rotor, a support frame defining an axis for the rotor, a sun gear concentric with the said axis, a shaft for journal mounting the rotor for concentric rotation about the said axis on the frame and relative to the sun gear, the rotor providing a toroidal chamber concentric with the said axis, and conformingly shaped pistons disposed in the chamber for oscillatory movement about the axis relative to the rotor to define variable volume combustion chambers within the rotor. Planet gears are journal mounted on the rotor and meshed with the sun gear to be driven when there is relative rotation between the rotor and sun gear, and eccentrics drivingly connect each piston to one of the planet gears whereby such relative rotation produces such oscillation of the pistons relative to said chamber.

United stateS Patent 1 v v [111 3,776,202 Mesa [4s] Dec.4, 1973 4] ROTARY ENGINE WITH SUN GEAR DRIVE [57] [76] Inventor: Bernardo E. Mesa, 5912 N. Tuxedo 7' I St. Indianapolis [mi 46220 An engine comprising a cylmdncally shaped rotor, a support frame defining an axis for the rotor, a sun gear Filed: y 1972 concentric with the said axis, a shaft for journal [211 App]. No: 256,698 mounting the rotor for concentric rotation about the u said axis on the frame and relative to the sun gear, the rotor providing a toroidal chamber concentric with 1.8. C. u the said axis and confonningly shaped pistons dis- [5 Clin the chan ber for oscillatory movement about Fleld of Search the axis relative to the rotor to define variable volume 418/35, 36 combustion chambers within the rotor. Planet gears are journal mounted on the rotor and meshed with the References Cited sun gear to be driven when there is relative rotation UNITED STATES PATENTS between the rotor and sun gear, and eccentrics driv- 726,353 4 1903 Sainsevain 123/8.47 ingly connect each piston to one Of the Planet gears 1 72 4 1929 w u 413 36 x whereby such relative rotation produces such oscillal,973,397 9/1934 Stromberg 418/36 X tion of the pistons relative to said chamber. 3,327,692 6/1967 Keagle 418/36 X Primary Examiner-Carlton R. Croyle 21 Claims 16 Drawing Figures Assistant Examiner-Michael Koczo, Jr.

Att0meyWilliam R. Coffey EATENTEU E 4 I975 SHEET 10F 7 FIG. I

SHEET 2 ur 7 PATENTED DEC 41975 PATENTEUDEC 4 I975 SHEET 3 BF 7 FIG. 3A

FIG. 3

roidal cavity hermetically enclosed and terminated at both'ends witha center shaft. Fitting internally are, for instance, four pistons whichdivide thecavity into four variable volumefcombustionchambers.Thepistons are oscillated within thecavityabout the axis of the rotor.

'This' type of 'rotary pistonengine hasbeen the subject of many'patent applicationsand issued patents. Among the issued patents "are US. Pat. Nos. 3,580,228;

3,565,049; 3,398,643 and 3,144,007. The concept of an engine based on a toroidal cavity withfitting pistons and oscillatory or stop and go 'm'otion'is' not new; on

thecontrary, because o'ftheobvious advantages in vol- .and the'like.

.By'my present invention, l 'have'rprovided abasic and simple .and yet -effective drive mechanism which produces .oscillation .of thezpistons as the rotor rotates to solve this long-standing iproblem "recognized by Wan- .kel. -Particularly', l have provided a "sun gear drive mechanism which is extremelysirnple and'inexpensive as compared to the drive :mechanisms ofth'e Jprior'art.

"Basically, my engine'comprises a cylindricallyshaped rotor, asupport frame-definingan axisforthe rotor, a sungearconcentric with"the'axis,"shaft means for journal mounting the rotor 'for concentric rotation about the axis on the frame and relative to the sun gear, the rotor providing a toroidal cham ber or cavity concentric with the axis, and conform'ing'ly shaped :pistons disposed in'the chamber for oscillatory movement about the axisrelative to the-rotor todefine variable volume combustion chambers within the rotor. Planet gears are journal mounted on the rotor and meshed with thesun gear to be driven when there is relativerotation be-' tween the rotor and sun Jgear. "Eccentric means drivingly connect each piston -to one of the planet. gears whereby relative rotation 'betwe'enthe "rotor and the sun gear about theaxisproducesoscillation of the piston relative'to the-rotorc'hamb'e'r.

My illustrated and preferred embodiment includes two pairs of pistons de fining'four of the said variable volume combustion chambers,the"pistons of each pair being diametrically oppositely disposed. The sun gear preferably hasa first diameter and aifirst number of teeth while eachsaid planetugear has one-half the said first number of teeth and is of one-half the said first diameter. Further, theeccentric means for each pair of pistons are in phase so that the pistons of each pair oscillate together about the axis. The eccentric means for one of the pairs of pistons is 180 out of phase with the eccentric means for the other pair of pistons whereby diametrically oppositely disposed combustion chambers are simultaneouslyat their maximum and minimum volumes. f

Further, in the illustrative and preferred embodiment, anend wall of the rotor provides four equally peripherally spaced ports in communication with the toroidal chamber, and the frame includes a mating stationary end wall in sliding engagement with the rotor 'end wall, the stationary end wall providing an intake port and an exhaust port. Each of the intake. and exhaust ports are disposed sequentially to register with the four ports in the rotor end wall to supply a fuel mixture to and remove exhaust from the said combustion chambers. Further, the stationary end wall provides a third port disposed sequentially to register with the said four ports, and a spark plug is disposed in this third port sequentially to be exposed to the combustion chambers.

In the illustrative and preferred embodiment, each piston is provided with a cylindrically-shaped bore, the axis of which is parallel to the rotor axis. In this embodiment, each eccentric means includes a first cylindrically shapedeccentric axially disposed in the bore of its associated piston for rotation therein,the first eccentric having a second bore formed therein on an axis parallel to and spaced apart'from the cylinder axis of thefirst eccentric. A second cylindrically shaped eccentric is axially disposed in the second bore for rotation'therein, and this second eccentric is drivingly con- "nected bya-shaft to its associated planet gear. The second eccentric is'mounted on this shaft for rotation therewith, the axis of the shaft being parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of the second eccentric. The-associated planet gear is also mounted on this shaft for rotation therewith. The shaft extends through one end wall of the toroidal chamber.

It will be appreciated that my engine is ideally suited for operation as a four-cycle engine. As adjacent pistonsseparatqa'fuel mixture is drawn into thecombustion-chamber therebetween as the intake cycle. Then the pistons move toward each other to compress the fuel mixture which cannot escape because the port is closed. This is the compression cycle. Then ignition'occurs causing an explosion which forces the pistons to separate to provide a propelling force for the rotor. Then'thepistons move toward'each other to force the exhaust gases out through the port which is open. At the end of this exhaust cycle,the pistons begin to move away from-each other'to begin again the intake cycle. It will be appreciated that, at any given time, all four chambers are in operation, each one involving one of the four cycles. Thus, the rotor is propelled by four ignition cycles each revolution.

Otherobjects and features of the present invention will'become apparent as this description progresses.

To theaccomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of my engine looking generally from one end of the output shaft;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of my engine looking generally at the opposite end of the output shaft and showing the rotary valve arrangement;-

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the pistons of my engine;

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the assembled piston shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 4-1 1 are diagrammatical views of a piston, the portion of the toroidal chamber in which the piston oscillates and the eccentric means which oscillates the piston; and

FIGS. 12-15 are diagrammatical views showing how oscillation of the four pistons in the toroidal chamber provide variable volume combustion chambers and indicating the firing sequence of the chambers.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that my engine, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, comprises a frame, indicated generally by the reference numeral 12, including a cylindrical shell 14 closed at its ends by end plates 16, 18 fastened to the shell by means such as the illustrated screws 20 which thread into the axially extending threaded openings 22 in the ends of the shell. Each of the end plates 16, 18 provide concentric center openings 28, 38 defining a rotational axis for my engine. A shaft 32 is concentrically mounted in these openings. The left-hand end (FIG. 1) of the shaft 32 is journal mounted on the end plate 18 by a bearing means 34 disposed in a concentric bearing The sun gear may be held fixed to the frame, for instance, by the concentric sleeve 76 through which the shaft extends, the sleeve 76 having a collar 77 attached to the end wall 18. The left-hand end (FIG. 1) of the rotor 44 is journal mounted on this collar 77 by means such as the illustrated bearing 770.

In the illustrative and preferred embodiment, the four pistons 78, 80, 82, 84 are driven, respectively, by planet gears 86, 88, 90, 92 which are meshed with the to sun gear 74 and journal mounted on the rotor 44 to be tion chambers of the toroidalchamber. As seen in FIG.

2, sealing rings 118 are disposed about these ports, the sealing rings being circular. The axially outer surface of the end wall 54 is provided with a concentric recess 122 which receives a concentric boss 124 on the end plate 16. The axially inner surface of this boss 124 engages the sealing rings 118. The end plate 16 is provided with an exhaust port 126 and an intake port 128, each of which sequentially registers with the ports 110, 1 12, 114, 116 or, more particularly, with the circularly 3O shaped sealing rings 118 about the ports in the end'wall sleeve 36 formed on the end plate while the right-hand end of the shaft (left-hand in ,FIG. 2) is journalmounted by means of a conventional bearing (not shown) disposed in the concentric opening 38 in the end plate 16. This shaft 32 is the output shaft of the engine 10.

In my illustrative and preferred embodiment, a rotor, indicated generally at 44, is mounted on t e shaft 32 for rotation therewith. As indicated previously, this rotor provides a toroidal chamber concentric with the axis of the shaft 32 and in which conformingly shaped pistons are disposed for oscillation about the axis relative to the rotor to define variable volume combustion chambers within the rotor. The illustrative rotor includes a cylindrical shell formed by threeshell parts 46, 48, with the part 48 being a divider between the said toroidal chamber and a gear compartment to be discussed hereinafter. The shell of the rotor is closed at its ends by end walls 52, 54. The end wall 52 may be secured by means such as the illustrated screws 56 which thread into the openings 58 and the end wall 54 may be secured by means such as the illustrated screws 60 which thread into the openings 62.

' The rotor 44 also comprises a peripherally extending concentric inner wall 68 and a radially extending and concentric wall 70 in registry with the divider 48. The inner surface of the shell part 46, outer surface of the wall 68 and axially inwardly facing surfaces of the end walls 54, 70 define the said toroidal chamber.

A sun gear 74 is mounted to be concentric with the axis of the shaft 32adjacent the chamber end wall 70.

54. A conduit leads away from the port 126 and another'conduit 132 leads to the port 128. It will be appreciated that this port structure just described constitutes a rotary valve system for admitting a fuel mixture to the variable volume combustion chambers and removing exhaust gases from these chambers. The illustrative and preferred embodiment of the present invention is a four-cycle engine and each of the said variable a volume combustion chambers goes through its four cy- -.cles of intake, compression, ignition and exhaust during each revolution of the rotor 44. The port 128 will register with each of the ports 110, 112, 114, 116 once dur ing each revolution of the rotor at the time when the combustion chamber served by that port.l10, 112, 114, 116 is in its intake cycle. Similarly, the exhaust port 126 will register with each port 110, 112, 114, 116 once each revolution at the time when the combustion chamber served by that port is in its exhaust cycle.

Finally, the end plate 16 is provided with a port 134 in which a spark plug 136 is disposed to be in registry with each of the ports 110, 112, 114, 116 once during each revolution of the rotor 44 at the time when the combustion chamber served by that port is in its ignition cycle.

The engine 10 of the present invention is, therefore, a four-cycle, four cylinder engine utilizing only one spark plug, only one intake port, and only one exhaust P0115,

Theillustrated engine 10 is an air-cooled engine, but it will beappreciated that my basic engine may be liquid cooledif desired. In the illustrative embodiment, air intake openings 140 are formed in the end plate 18 and air outlet openings 142 are formed in the end plate 16. It will be appreciated that there is a peripherally extending air space between the outer surface of the cylindrical shell of the rotor 44 and the inner surface of the shell 14, this space being indicated at 144. Fan.

blades .146 are mounted onthe end plate 52 of the rotor and arranged to draw air in the openings 140 and to force it out throughthe openings 142.

In FIG. 2, it will be seen that..a concentric boss 150 on the end plate 54 is received in a mating concentric recess. 152 in the boss. 124.-

Turning now to-FIGS..3 and 3A, the structure of the illustrated.andpreferred piston and eccentric drive will beidiscussed. The illustrative piston includes a shell 160 which is, of course, conformingly shaped to oscillate about the axis of the shaft '32. This shell 160 includes .an axially :extending bore 162 extending centrally through its main body portion, the axis of this bore lying ina'radial plane halfway between the radially extending faces of the piston. A first cylindrical eccentric 164 is axially disposed in the bore 162 for rotation therein with the outer'cylindrical surface of the eccentric 164 being in'bearing engagement with the inner cylindrical surface of the bore 162. The first eccentric '164 has an axially extending second bore 166 extending therethrough, the axis for this bore 166 being parallel to and spaced apart fromthe cylinder axis of the eccentric:164. A secondeccentric 168 is axiallydisposed in the bore 166 to be rotatable therein with its outer cylindrical surface being in bearing engagement with the inner cylindrical surface of the bore. The axial lengths of the'bore 162, eccentric 164 and eccentric 168 are generally equal. The eccentric 168 is mounted onv the shaft 94 for rotation therewith with the axis of the shaft 94 being parallel to and sriaced apart from the cylinder eccentric .168, the coinciding axes of these auxiliary shafts 170 being parallel toand-spaced apart from the cylinder axis of the eccentric. The coinciding axes of the auxiliary shafts 170 lie in a plane which includes the cylinder axis of the eccentric 168 and the axis of the shaft 94. For reasons which will be clear as this description progresses, the distance between the coinciding axes of the-shaftsl70 and the cylinder axis of the eccentric 168 is exactly equal to the distance between the axis of the shaft 94 and the said cylinder axis. The auxiliary shafts'170 are drivers of the body of the piston and may or may not rotate about their axes. The shell 160 ends are closed by end plates 176, 178 which conformingly fit into cutouts formed respectively in the opposite ends ofthe piston. Seal grooves 180 are formed aboutthe piston adjacent its front and rear surfaces and seal segments 182 are disposed in these grooves for reasons which will be well understood by those familiar with the engine arts. Similarly, oil grooves 184 are formed in the eccentrics 164, 168 and end plates 176, l78-so that lubricating oil may be fed to moving parts as required.

It will be seen that the axially inner surfaces of the end plates 176, 178 are formed-with radially extending slots190, the center lines of which lie in the said radial plane including the axis of the bore 162. The auxiliary shafts 170 extend into these slots 190 and drivingly engage the-side walls of the. slots. Of course, as the eccentric'168 rotates about the axis of the shaft 94, the shafts 170 move radially in the slots 190.

Further, the end plates 176,178 are provided with arcuate elongated slots 192 through which the shaft 94 extends. lt-will be understood that the shaft 94 is journal mounted in an opening in the end wall 70.and an-. other such opening in the end wall 54 to move with those end walls. The piston 78 must oscillate relative to those end walls about the axisof curvature of the elongated slots 92.

In recapitulation to this point, it will be seen that rotation of the rotor 44 relative to the sun gear 74 drives the planet gears 86, 88, 90, 92 and the shafts 94, 96, 98, on which the planet gears are mounted. The eccentric means on these shafts respectively oscillate the pistons 78, 80, 82, 84 about the axis of the shaft 32 relative to the rotor 44. v

The oscillatory movement of each piston is demonstrated inFIGS. 4-11 where the movement of the piston 78 relative to the shell 46 and inner wall 68 is illustrated. Marks 200-202 represent the starting point of the piston 78 relative to the shell 46. A radial plane, in

'dicated by the center line 204, which includes the axis of the shaft 94 is centered between the marks 200, 202. It will be appreciated that in all views FIG. 4-FIG. 11, the axis of the shaft 94 is shown in this plane (center line 204). The movement counterclockwiseof the eccentric 168 about the axis of the shaft 94 begins in FIG. 4 and progresses through FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, the eccentric 168 has moved approximately 330 from its starting positionshown in FIG. 4. This counterclockwise movement of the eccentric 168 drives the eccentric 164 in a clockwise direction about the axis of the bore 162. The piston, therefore, must oscillate relative to the plane 204, i.e., the rotational axis of the shaft 94. It moves first counterclockwise to its maximum counterclockwise position shown in FIG. 6 and then back to its center position as shown in FIG. 8. It will be seen that, in FIG. -8, the eccentric 168 is displaced from its position shown in FIG. 4. As the eccentric 168 continues to rotate counterclockwise about the axis of the shaft 94, the piston 78 must move clockwise from its centered position (FIG. 8) to its maximum displaced position shown in FIG. 10.

Turning now to FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15, it will be seen that the pistons 78 and 82 move together while the pistons 80, 84 move together. This is because the eccentric means for the pistons 78, 80 are in phase while the eccentric means for the pistons 80, 84 are in phase. Further, the eccentric means for the pistons 78, 82 are 180 out of phase with the eccentric means for the pistons 80, 84.

In FIGS. 12-15, I have used reference numerals 210, 212, 214, 216 to identify, respectively, the four variable volume combustion chambers defined by the four pistons 78, 80, 82, 84.

Assume that, in FIG. 12, chamber 210 is in its compression cycle, chamber 212 is in its intake cycle, chamber 214 is in its exhaust cycle and chamber 216 is in its ignition cycle. Progressing to FIG. 13, it will be seen that the compression cycle of chamber 210 is almost completed; that the intake cycle of the chamber 212 is almost completed; that the exhaust cycle of the chamber 214 is almost completed; and that the ignition cycle of the chamber 216 is almost completed. Progressing on to FIG. 14, it will be seen that these cycles in the respective chambers are completed or that the next cycle in the sequence is just beginning. For instance, in

FIG. 14, the chamber 212 is just beginning its compression cycle after completing its intake cycle while the chamber 216 is just starting its exhaust cycle after completing its ignition cycle. In FIG. 15, the chamber 210 is shown after its ignition cycle has started and the chamber 214 is shown after its intake cycle has started.

Of course, the propelling force for the engine results from the explosion of gas in the chamber going through the ignition cycle, this explosion exerting great pressures against the pistons defining that chamber undergoing ignition causing them to separate.

In this description and in the appended claims, the terms sun gear and planet gears are intended to apply generally to planet gear systems of the type including a main gear and secondary gears meshed with the main gear and revolvable about the main gear. In the drawings, the sun gear 74 and planet gears 8692 are illustrated as being spur gears, but it will be appreciated that other types of gears might be used in a planetary gear system in accordance with my invention.

Further, it will be appreciated that various types of eccentric means other than that shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A may be used to cause oscillation of the pistons by the planet gears.

Still further, it will be appreciated that my disclosed engine, with modification, may be used as a steam engine, pump, compressor or fluid motor or similar ma- 'chine.

What is claimed is:

1. An engine comprising a cylindrically shaped rotor, a support frame defining an axis for said rotor, a sun gear concentric with said axis, shaft means for journal mounting said rotor for concentric rotation about said axis on said frame and relative to said sun gear, said rotor providing a toroidal chamber concentric with said axis, conformingly shaped pistons disposed in said chamber for oscillatory movement about said axis relative to said rotor to define variable volume combustion chambers within said rotor, planet gears journal mounted on said rotor and meshed with said sun gear, and eccentric means drivingly connecting each said piston to one of said planet gears whereby relative rotation between said rotor and said sun gear about said axis produces oscillation of said piston relative to said rotor.

2. The engine of claim 1 in which there are four of said pistons defining four of said variable volume combustion chambers, said sun gear having a first diameter and a first number of teeth, each said planet gear having one-half the said first number of teeth and being one-half the said first diameter.

3. The engine of claim 1 in which said pistons include two pair of pistons defining four of said variable volume combustion chambers, the pistons of each pair being diametrically oppositely disposed, said sun gear having a first diameter and a first number of teeth, each said planet gear having one-half the said first number of teeth and being one-half the said first diameter.

4. The engine of claim 3 in which each piston is provided with a cylindrically-shaped bore, the axis of which is parallel to said first mentioned axis, and in which each eccentric means includes a first cylindrically-shaped eccentric axially disposed in said bore of its associated piston for rotation therein, said first eccentric having a second bore formed therein on an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said first eccentric, a second cylindrically shaped ecsaid second eccentric being mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, the axis of said shaft being parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said second eccentric.

6. The engine of claim 5 in which said planet gear is mounted on said shaft so that said shaft rotates with said planet gear.

7. The engine of claim 3 in which said eccentric means for each pair of pistons are in phase so that the pistons of each pair oscillate together relative to said rotor.

8. The engine of claim 7 in which said eccentric means for one of said pair of pistons is out of phase with said eccentric means for the other pair of pistons whereby diametrically opposed combustion chambers are simultaneously at their maximum'and minimum volumes.

9. The engine of claim 8 in which said rotor includes an end wall providing four equally peripherally spaced ports in communication with said toroidal chamber, said frame including a mating stationary end wall in sliding engagement with said rotor end wall, said stationary end wall providing an intake port and an exhaust port, each of said intake and exhaust ports being disposed sequentially to register with said four ports in said rotor end wall to supply a fuel mixture to and remove exhaust from said combustion chambers.

10. The engine of claim 9 in which said stationary end wall is provided with a third port disposed sequentially to register with said four ports, and a spark plug disposed in said third port sequentially to be exposed to said combustion chambers.

11. The engine of claim 5 in which said second eccentric includes a rigid auxiliary shaft extending axially from at least one end thereof, said auxiliary shaft being on an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis. of said second eccentric and diametrically oppositely disposed from the axis of said shaft driven by said planet gear, said piston including an end plate closing the said cylindrically shaped bore formed therein, said end plate being formed with a radially elongated slot into which said auxiliary shaft extends for driving engagement, said auxiliary shaft being movable'radially in said slot as said second eccentric rotates, said slot having a radial centerline passing through the axis of said bore in said piston.

12. The engine of claim 11 in which said end plate is formed with an arcuately elongated slot concentric with said rotor axis and through which extends said shaft driven by said planet gear.

13. An engine comprising a support frame defining a rotational axis, means providing a toroidal chamber concentric with said axis, a sun gear concentric with said axis, conformingly shaped pistons disposed in said chamber for oscillatory movement about said axis relative to said chamber to define, within said chamber, variable volume combustion chambers, planet gears meshed with said sun gear, and eccentric means drivingly connecting each said piston to one of said planet gears whereby rotation of said planet gear produces oscillation of said piston relative to said chamber, said planet gears being journal mounted on said means providing said toroidal chamber to be driven when there is relative rotation about said axis between said means and said sun gear, each piston being provided with a cylindrically-shaped bore, the axis of which is parallel to said first mentioned axis, and each eccentric means including a first cylindrically-shaped eccentric axially disposed in said bore of its associated piston for rotation therein, said first eccentric having a second bore formed therein on an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said first eccentric, a second cylindrically-shaped eccentric axially disposed in said second bore for rotation therein, and means for drivingly connecting said second eccentric to its associated planet gear.

14. The engine of claim 13 in which said means drivingly connecting said second eccentric to its associated planet gear includes a shaft driven by said planet gear, said second eccentric being mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, the axis of said shaft being parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said second eccentric.

15. An engine comprising a support frame defining a rotational axis, means providing a toroidal chamber concentric with said axis, a sun gear concentric with said axis, conformingly shaped pistons disposed in said chamber for oscillatory movement about said axis relative to said chamber to define, within said chamber, variable volume combustion chambers, planet gears meshed with said sun gear, and eccentric means drivingly connecting each said piston to one of said planet gears whereby rotation of said planet gear produces oscillation of said piston relative to said chamber, said planet gears being journal mounted on said means providing said toroidal chamber to be driven when there is relative rotation about said axis between said means and said sun gear, said pistons including two pair of pistons defining four of said variable volume combustion chambers, the pistons of each pair being diametrically oppositely disposed, said sun gear having a first diameter and a first number of teeth, each said planet gear having one-half the said first number of teeth and being one-half the said first diameter.

16. The engine of claim 15 in which said eccentric means for each pair of pistons are in phase so that the pistons of each pair oscillate together about said axis.

17. The engine of claim 16 in which said eccentric 10 means for one of said pair of pistons is out of phase with said eccentric means for the other pair of pistons whereby diametrically opposed combustion chambers are simultaneously at their maximum and minimum volumes.

18. The engine of claim 17 in which said means defining said toroidal chamber includes a rotor rotatable relative to said sun gear, said rotor including an end wall providing four equally peripherally spaced ports in communication with said toroidal chamber, said frame including a mating stationary end wall in sliding engagement with said rotor end wall, said stationary end wall providing an intake port and an exhaust port, each of said intake and exhaust ports being disposed sequen-.

tially to register with said four ports in said rotor end wall to supply a fuel mixture to and remove exhaust from said combustion chambers.

19. The engine of claim 18 in which said stationary end wall is provided with a third port disposed sequentially to register with said four ports, and a spark plug disposed in said third port sequentially to be exposed to said combustion chambers.

20. The engine of claim 14 in which said second eccentric includes a rigid auxiliary shaft extending axially from at least one end thereof, said auxiliary-shaft being on an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said second eccentric and diametrically oppositely disposed from the axis of said shaft driven by said planet gear, said piston including an end plate closing the said cylindrically shaped bore formed therein, said end plate being formed with a radially elongated slot into which said auxiliary shaft extends for driving engagement, said auxiliary shaft being movable radially in said slot as said second eccentric rotates, said slot having a radial centerline passing through the axis of said bore in said piston.

21. The engine of claim 20 in which said end plate is formed with an arcuately elongated slot concentric with said rotor axis and through which extends said shaft driven by said planet gear. 

1. An engine comprising a cylindrically shaped rotor, a support frame defining an axis for said rotor, a sun gear concentric with said axis, shaft means for journal mounting said rotor for concentric rotation about said axis on said frame and relative to said sun gear, said rotor providing a toroidal chamber conCentric with said axis, conformingly shaped pistons disposed in said chamber for oscillatory movement about said axis relative to said rotor to define variable volume combustion chambers within said rotor, planet gears journal mounted on said rotor and meshed with said sun gear, and eccentric means drivingly connecting each said piston to one of said planet gears whereby relative rotation between said rotor and said sun gear about said axis produces oscillation of said piston relative to said rotor.
 2. The engine of claim 1 in which there are four of said pistons defining four of said variable volume combustion chambers, said sun gear having a first diameter and a first number of teeth, each said planet gear having one-half the said first number of teeth and being one-half the said first diameter.
 3. The engine of claim 1 in which said pistons include two pair of pistons defining four of said variable volume combustion chambers, the pistons of each pair being diametrically oppositely disposed, said sun gear having a first diameter and a first number of teeth, each said planet gear having one-half the said first number of teeth and being one-half the said first diameter.
 4. The engine of claim 3 in which each piston is provided with a cylindrically-shaped bore, the axis of which is parallel to said first mentioned axis, and in which each eccentric means includes a first cylindrically-shaped eccentric axially disposed in said bore of its associated piston for rotation therein, said first eccentric having a second bore formed therein on an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said first eccentric, a second cylindrically shaped eccentric axially disposed in said second bore for rotation therein, and means for drivingly connecting said second eccentric to its associated planet gear.
 5. The engine of claim 4 in which said means drivingly connecting said second eccentric to its associated planet gear includes a shaft driven by said planet gear, said second eccentric being mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, the axis of said shaft being parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said second eccentric.
 6. The engine of claim 5 in which said planet gear is mounted on said shaft so that said shaft rotates with said planet gear.
 7. The engine of claim 3 in which said eccentric means for each pair of pistons are in phase so that the pistons of each pair oscillate together relative to said rotor.
 8. The engine of claim 7 in which said eccentric means for one of said pair of pistons is 180* out of phase with said eccentric means for the other pair of pistons whereby diametrically opposed combustion chambers are simultaneously at their maximum and minimum volumes.
 9. The engine of claim 8 in which said rotor includes an end wall providing four equally peripherally spaced ports in communication with said toroidal chamber, said frame including a mating stationary end wall in sliding engagement with said rotor end wall, said stationary end wall providing an intake port and an exhaust port, each of said intake and exhaust ports being disposed sequentially to register with said four ports in said rotor end wall to supply a fuel mixture to and remove exhaust from said combustion chambers.
 10. The engine of claim 9 in which said stationary end wall is provided with a third port disposed sequentially to register with said four ports, and a spark plug disposed in said third port sequentially to be exposed to said combustion chambers.
 11. The engine of claim 5 in which said second eccentric includes a rigid auxiliary shaft extending axially from at least one end thereof, said auxiliary shaft being on an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said second eccentric and diametrically oppositely disposed from the axis of said shaft driven by said planet gear, said piston including an end plate closing the said cylindrically shaped bore formed therein, said end plate being formed with a radially elongated sLot into which said auxiliary shaft extends for driving engagement, said auxiliary shaft being movable radially in said slot as said second eccentric rotates, said slot having a radial centerline passing through the axis of said bore in said piston.
 12. The engine of claim 11 in which said end plate is formed with an arcuately elongated slot concentric with said rotor axis and through which extends said shaft driven by said planet gear.
 13. An engine comprising a support frame defining a rotational axis, means providing a toroidal chamber concentric with said axis, a sun gear concentric with said axis, conformingly shaped pistons disposed in said chamber for oscillatory movement about said axis relative to said chamber to define, within said chamber, variable volume combustion chambers, planet gears meshed with said sun gear, and eccentric means drivingly connecting each said piston to one of said planet gears whereby rotation of said planet gear produces oscillation of said piston relative to said chamber, said planet gears being journal mounted on said means providing said toroidal chamber to be driven when there is relative rotation about said axis between said means and said sun gear, each piston being provided with a cylindrically-shaped bore, the axis of which is parallel to said first mentioned axis, and each eccentric means including a first cylindrically-shaped eccentric axially disposed in said bore of its associated piston for rotation therein, said first eccentric having a second bore formed therein on an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said first eccentric, a second cylindrically-shaped eccentric axially disposed in said second bore for rotation therein, and means for drivingly connecting said second eccentric to its associated planet gear.
 14. The engine of claim 13 in which said means drivingly connecting said second eccentric to its associated planet gear includes a shaft driven by said planet gear, said second eccentric being mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, the axis of said shaft being parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said second eccentric.
 15. An engine comprising a support frame defining a rotational axis, means providing a toroidal chamber concentric with said axis, a sun gear concentric with said axis, conformingly shaped pistons disposed in said chamber for oscillatory movement about said axis relative to said chamber to define, within said chamber, variable volume combustion chambers, planet gears meshed with said sun gear, and eccentric means drivingly connecting each said piston to one of said planet gears whereby rotation of said planet gear produces oscillation of said piston relative to said chamber, said planet gears being journal mounted on said means providing said toroidal chamber to be driven when there is relative rotation about said axis between said means and said sun gear, said pistons including two pair of pistons defining four of said variable volume combustion chambers, the pistons of each pair being diametrically oppositely disposed, said sun gear having a first diameter and a first number of teeth, each said planet gear having one-half the said first number of teeth and being one-half the said first diameter.
 16. The engine of claim 15 in which said eccentric means for each pair of pistons are in phase so that the pistons of each pair oscillate together about said axis.
 17. The engine of claim 16 in which said eccentric means for one of said pair of pistons is 180* out of phase with said eccentric means for the other pair of pistons whereby diametrically opposed combustion chambers are simultaneously at their maximum and minimum volumes.
 18. The engine of claim 17 in which said means defining said toroidal chamber includes a rotor rotatable relative to said sun gear, said rotor including an end wall providing four equally peripherally spaced ports in communication with said toroidal chamber, said frame including a mating stationary end walL in sliding engagement with said rotor end wall, said stationary end wall providing an intake port and an exhaust port, each of said intake and exhaust ports being disposed sequentially to register with said four ports in said rotor end wall to supply a fuel mixture to and remove exhaust from said combustion chambers.
 19. The engine of claim 18 in which said stationary end wall is provided with a third port disposed sequentially to register with said four ports, and a spark plug disposed in said third port sequentially to be exposed to said combustion chambers.
 20. The engine of claim 14 in which said second eccentric includes a rigid auxiliary shaft extending axially from at least one end thereof, said auxiliary shaft being on an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the cylinder axis of said second eccentric and diametrically oppositely disposed from the axis of said shaft driven by said planet gear, said piston including an end plate closing the said cylindrically shaped bore formed therein, said end plate being formed with a radially elongated slot into which said auxiliary shaft extends for driving engagement, said auxiliary shaft being movable radially in said slot as said second eccentric rotates, said slot having a radial centerline passing through the axis of said bore in said piston.
 21. The engine of claim 20 in which said end plate is formed with an arcuately elongated slot concentric with said rotor axis and through which extends said shaft driven by said planet gear. 